Honda Halts Production Following Earthquake

Focus shifts to relief and recovery efforts

Honda is suspending production at several factories including the motorcycle production facility in Kumamoto following the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan.

Production at Honda’s automobile factories at Saitama, Tochigi, Suzuka and Hamamatsu are suspended as of March 14. The Kumamoto plant, which produces Honda motorcycles including the Super Cub, CBR600RR, VFR1200F and DN-01, will suspend activities as of March 15.

Honda is also suspending operations at its engineering and research and development centers in Tochigi where an employee was killed during the 8.9 earthquake off the coast of Japan. Honda plans to re-open all of its facilities after March 20.

Honda is donating 300 million yen (US$3.7 million) towards relief and recovery efforts, as well as 1,000 gas-powered generators and 5,000 canisters of gas. Honda will also cooperate with the Japanese government’s request for electricity conservation efforts and rolling blackouts.